job-specific task performance tests for occupational assignment. Vogel and Friedl (1992) have suggested the use of a minimum acceptable FFM standard that would be compatible with the ability to perform the tasks required for many MOSs, in lieu of other standards of body composition.

Studies of the role of fitness in job performance cite the contribution of poor physical fitness to an increased incidence of job-related injury and disability. Numerous reports have found that women in Army BCT appear to sustain more musculoskeletal injuries of the lower extremities than do men (Canham et al., 1996; Jones, 1996; Jones et al., 1992, 1993, 1994). Similar observations have been made regarding injuries of the lower extremities and pelvis in Marine Corps personnel (Moore, 1996). Jones and coworkers (Canham et al., 1996; Jones, 1996; Jones et al., 1992, 1993, 1994) have studied men and women in Army BCT for approximately 10 years to assess the factors contributing to injury risk. They found that women tend to have a higher risk of all types of lower-extremity, musculoskeletal injury than do men, including stress fracture of the tibia. Both higher- and lower-than-average BMIs are associated with increased risk for injury, which suggests that the heaviest as well as the lightest soldiers are at greater risk. When men and women of equal fitness level (as measured by run time) are compared, however, the gender differences in injury rate disappear, which suggests that aerobic fitness could be an important factor. Fitness prior to entering BCT is also a factor in injury incidence. Although more studies are needed, particularly those including soldiers after initial training and examining other lifestyle issues (such as diet and smoking), the evidence suggests that fitness plays a role in preventing musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel and that there may be some justification for a minimum FFM standard.

The establishment of MOS-specific fitness standards and corresponding physical abilities tests is only one means of ensuring that military personnel are qualified to perform their jobs. Two additional strategies that are under investigation are the optimization of strength training to allow women to reach their full potential and the ergonomic redesign of tasks and equipment to decrease the need for physical exertion.

According to a review of strength training efforts by the Army (Sharp, 1993), the average woman soldier weights 20 percent less and has 10 percent more body fat and 30 percent less muscle than the average male soldier. As mentioned earlier, lifting and carrying are strongly associated with FFM. Muscle strength can be classified in two ways: isometric strength (no movement) and dynamic strength (isotonic and isokinetic strength). Women soldiers demonstrate 60 to 70 percent of the isometric strength of men. Women's relative lower body strength is

Front Matter (R1-R16)

Executive Summary (1-24)

1 Introduction (25-32)

2 Body Composition (33-60)

3 Physical Fitness Policies and Programs (61-86)

4 Weight Management (87-108)

5 Nutritional Concerns of Military Women (109-126)

6 Pregnancy and Lactation and Postpartum Return-To-Duty Fitness (127-156)

7 Conclusions and Recommendations (157-170)

Appendixes (171-172)

A Workshop Summary, Agenda, Participants, and Abstracts (173-252)

B Practices and Policies Tables (253-262)

C Military Occupational Specialty Classification Tables (263-280)

D Search Strategy for Literature Review (281-284)

E Civilian Inquiry Letter and Table of Responses (285-290)

F Abbreviations (291-294)

G Bibliography (295-334)

H Biographical Sketches (335-338)

Index (339-352)